Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, received today, Wednesday, at the headquarters of Al-Azhar, a high-level delegation of deans of theological seminaries around the world, accompanied by Dr. Sami Fawzy, Archbishop of Alexandria for the Episcopal Church, and Dr. Mounir Hanna, former head of the Episcopal Church.

The Grand Imam expressed his pleasure at receiving the distinguished delegation, exchanging visions on contemporary crises, and strengthening ties of friendship and cooperation between their institutions and Al-Azhar. He stressed that extremist groups have deliberately corrupted the relationship between Muslims and Christians and sowed division, intolerance and hatred among them, noting that these groups operate - directly or indirectly – according to specific political agendas. Their danger lies in attracting young people and trying to influence them. Religious institutions have to undertake the task of confronting these groups that disseminate demonic ideas to destroy societies and stir up strife.

Al-Azhar Grand Imam pointed out that the relationship between Muslims and Christians is an old and permanent tie. Such relations began to develop with the advent of Islam, and we have learned from our noble Prophet (pbuh) to respect and appreciate our Christian brothers and their sanctities. This relationship has developed over the ages, despite some attempts to sow discord and to strike a chord with conflicting beliefs, and to exploit it to implement malicious agendas.

The Grand Imam stated, “In Egypt, we have established a home that brings all Egyptians together, the Egyptian family House. We strengthened our cooperation with Christian institutions in Egypt and all over the world. These institutions included the Egyptian Orthodox Church, the World Council of Churches, Canterbury Church in the United Kingdom, the Catholic Church in Rome, and other religious institutions around the world. These efforts culminated in the signing of the Human Fraternity Document between Al-Azhar and the Vatican to set an example of the good relationship between the followers of different cultures and beliefs.”

The members of the delegation, for their part, expressed their appreciation for the Grand Imam and his efforts to coexist and promote peace, and their pleasure at visiting Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, stressing the need to respect beliefs, their privacy and their sanctities. They said that freedom never means challenging the beliefs of others or provoking their feelings. They also stressed the need of their countries for Al-Azhar scholars and Al-Azhar moderate approach to combat extremism and eliminate it. 

The two sides exchanged congratulations on the holidays of Muslims and Christians. The Grand Imam congratulated the delegation on Easter, wishing the Christian brothers in Egypt and all over the world that these occasions would bring them goodness and peace. The delegation congratulated Al-Azhar Grand Imam on the advent of the blessed ˁEid ul-Fiṭr, wishing His Eminence and all Muslims that such occasions would bring them goodness, happiness and blessings.